Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director of Public Health.

Councillor Jill Rhodes attended the meeting addressed the committee.  Councillor Rhodes advised the Committee that there was a huge problem with flytipping in the Crewe area.  There had been some investment in the area to try and deal with the issue, over the past 12 months, but this was insufficient by the Crewe community

The number of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) had increased in the Crewe area, and a culture had developed whereby tenants left large items of rubbish were left in the street.  Over time this had had a negative impact on the reputation of the area. 

As many tenants did not recycle, ANSA had piloted a scheme whereby orange stickers were placed on contaminated bins.  The residents were in favour of this service and thought it should be adopted.  Councillor Rhodes felt there should be more funding towards additional wardens and education for residents.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Adults Social Care and Integration, commented  acknowledged the work of the Task and Finish Group that had looked at the issue of fly-tipping across Cheshire East. but highlighted that the main problem was that fly-tipping was a covert crime.

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The funding that had been invested in Crewe had been found through enforcement fines, this funding was likely to decline as littering offences reduced in through continured enforcement.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that she had given a commitment at Full Council to review fly-tipping as part of the agenda of this Committee.

Councillor Nick Mannion, a former Member of the Task and Finish Group also addressed the committee.  Councillor Mannion advised the Committee that he was of the opinion that the Task and Finish group that the group should have ensured that the pilot projects that had been put in place were sustained for a further 12 month.

Councillor Mannion requested that the Committee consider re-establishing a small group to oversee the the implementation of fly-tipping recommendations. 

Councillor Brian Roberts was the final visiting Member for this item and also a former member of the Task and Finish Group.  Councillor Roberts expressed his concern to the Committee about the change in culture connected to the rise of HMOs has had in the Crewe area. 

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Visiting Members be thanked for their attendance and contributions to the meeting;

(b)  That the reports be received and noted,

(c)  That, the continuation of the ‘No Rubbish Excuses’ Campaign be supported at a cost of £18,800 for 12 months through an allocation from environmental enforcement FPN income reserve;

(d)  That, the Committees support be given to ANSA’s waste education role in schools, community groups and partner agencies, be extended to cover wider waste management issues and includes those schools in the hotspot areas;

(e)  That, the Portfolio Holder be supported to endorse £5,000 for specific bin identification marking equipment to increase public ownership and care of their bin in affected areas through an allocation from environmental enforcement FPN income reserve;

(f)   That, the Portfolio Holder be supported to agree a one-off payment and agrees with Crewe Town Council what the funding will be spent on to add value to the work of the team already in place. To support the allocation of a one off sum of £74,000 (the residual amount of money that remains after everything is paid for relating to Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN)) from the 2017/18 FPN Income reserve to add value to the work Crewe Town Council are leading on. This will be a one-off payment as there is an income target of £118k pa from April 2018 onwards;

(g)  That a Fly-tipping Task and Finish Group be re-instated on a cross party basis to oversee the implementation of Fly-tipping recommendations,

(h)  That Cabinet be requested to secure further funding to support ongoing Fly-tipping intiatives.